Double tape cutter



A. L. HAMM DOUBLE TAPE CUTTER Dec. 7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1950 INVENTOR. 025557 A. 1 /14/1444 l in M 1366- 1954 A. L. HAMM DOUBLE TAPE CUTTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2'7, 1950 INVENTOR. #155674. 594%! -#77ar/VE/ IIIIIIII Dec. 7, 1954 A. L. HAMM DOUBLE TAPE CUTTER Filed Oct. 27, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 llll INVENTOR. fil'fifffl. l/FMM Dec. 7, 1954 A. HA MM DOUBLE TAPE CUTTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 2'7, 1950 v nunun INVEN TOR. #15567 1. #9074? United States Patent DOUBLE TAPE CUTTER Albert L. Hamm, Franklin, Ohio, assignor to The Raymond Bag Company, Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 27, 1950, Serial No. 192,439

7 Claims. (Cl. 16461) A sewed bag of the valved type has one corner of one end thereof folded inwardly between the side walls of the bag to form a valve and after the valve has been so folded the ends of the bag are sewed to close the same, except for the valve opening. Prior to the. sewing operation continuous sealing tapes are folded about the respective ends of the bags and are sewed to the bags during the sewing operation. Consequently the sewed bags are connected one with the other by these tapes and the tapes must be severed betweenthe adjacent bags to separate the same. Heretofore it has been customary to sever each of these tapes by a single cutter which left portions of the tape extending from the adjacent bags and that portion of the tape which extended from the valve end of the bag was objectionably long.

One object of the invention is to provide a device which will remove a portion of the tape between the valve ends of the bags and thus reduce that portion of the tape which projects beyond the valve to a length that is not objectionable.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be adjusted to vary the length of the portion of tape removed.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which is of simple, efficient construction and which can be operated in accurately timed relation to the movement of the bags.

' Other objects of the invention may appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a bag sewing machine equipped with the invention; Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken through the cutting device on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3a is a face view of one of the disc-like members in which the cutting blades are mounted; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cutting device and its actuating mechanism; and Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same in connection with a bag sewing machine of a well known type, but it is to be understood that the cutting device may take various forms and may be used in connection with machines of various kinds.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a portion of a bag sewing machine comprising a frame 10 on whichare mounted two sewing heads 11 which are driven from a power shaft 12 which may be connected with any suitable source of power and as shown is provided with a pulley 12a by which it may be connected witha motor. The bags 13 may be moved to and beyond the respective sewing heads successively in spaced relation one to the other in any suitable manner. In the present instance the sewing machine is a part of a combined machine including the valve tucking mechanism and the sewing heads and the bags 13 with the valves formed therein are delivered from the tucking mechanism to an endless chain conveyor 14 which moves the bags successively to the sewing heads, the chains being provided with lugs '15 to advance the bags and to space adjacent bags a predetermined distance one from the other. Mounted on the frame in advance of the sewing heads are means for folding continuous sealing tapes about the ends of the bags as they move to the sewing heads, these tapes being sewed to the bags by the same stitching which closes the ends of the bags. The tapes may be applied to the ends of the bags in any suitable manner and as here shown each tape 16 is drawn from a source of supply through a paste applying mechanism 17, about an upright roller 18 which moves the tape to an edge-wise upright position and is then drawn through a conventional folding device 19 which folds it about the ends of the bags, and after the tape has once been connected with a bag it is drawn continuously from the source of supply as the bags move to the sewing head.

The sewed bags are thus connected one with the other by the continuous tape. Due to the folding of a corner of each bag to form a valve, the edge portion of which is shown at 20, the space between the edge portions of adjacent bags at the valve ends thereof is substantially greater than the space between the parallel edges thereof and when the tape at the valve ends of the bags is severed in the usual manner on a line between the parallel edges of adjacent bags, a relatively long portion of that tape extends beyond the edge of the valve. In order to reduce the length of that portion of the tape which projects beyond the valve, I have provided means for severing the tape between the valve ends of the bags on two spaced lines of severance, thereby removing a portion of the tape, and one line of severance may be in line with the folded edge of the valve so that the projecting portion of the tape will be of relatively short length. To accomplish this there is provided a cutter comprising two cutting elements 21 and 22, spaced one from the other and adapted to be moved through the path of the tape between adjacent bags and thus sever the tape as above explained. This mechanism may take various forms and as here shown the cutting elements 21 and 22 are mounted for rotation about a common axis and each cutting element is provided with a plurality of substantially radial blades 23, in the present instance four, and means are provided for simultaneously rotating the two cutting elements through arcs of approximately ninety degrees upon each operation thereof. The two cutting elements may be mounted and driven in timed relation to the movement of the bags in any suitable manner but it is preferable that at least one of the cutting elements should be adjustable with relation to the other cutting element to vary the distance between the cutting elements and thereby vary the length of the section of tape which is removed thereby. In the drawings the cuttings elements are shown in intermediate positions through which they pass during cutting operations, with one blade of each cutting element in cutting relation to a stationary cutter bar. The cutting elements are never stationary when in these positions.

In the construction here shown the cutting elements are separately mounted on alined shafts, one of which is adjustable, and which rotate in unison. Preferably there is mounted on the frame of the sewing machine a shaft supporting structure which comprises a base member 24 and upright arms, or standards, 25 and 26, which are provided respectively with alined bearings 27 and 28, spaced one from the other lengthwise of the path of the tape. The bearing 28 is of substantial length and is adjustable axially relative to the standard 26. The bearing may be adjustably secured to the standard in any suitable manner, as by an adjustable clamp (not shown). A tubular shaft 29 is mounted in bearing 28 for both rotary movement and axial movement. The shaft 29 extends inwardly beyond the bearing 28 and the cutting element 22 is rigidly secured to the inner end of the shaft and hence limits the outward movement of the shaft relative to bearing 28. A second shaft 30 is rotatably mounted in the bearing 27 and is held against substantial axial movement with relation thereto, and the cutting element 21 is rigidly secured to the shaft 30 on the inner side of the bearing 27. Preferably each cutting element includes a disc-like member 123 rigidly secured to the corresponding shaft. As seen in Figure 3a, the disc-like member 123 has four radial slots 130 in which the blades 23 are mounted and in which the blades are secured by a clamping plate 124 and screws 125 extend through the clamping plate and into the 3 threaded openings 131 in member 123. Collar members 126 are fixedly secured to the ends of the respective bearings adjacent the outer sides of the respective members 123 and a stationary cutter bar 127 is rigidly mounted on each member 126 and extends beneath and transversely to the path of the tape.

The shaft extends outwardly beyond the bearing 27 and is provided with means by which it may be rotated, such as a sprocket wheel 31. The inner portion of the shaft 30 extends across the space between the two cutting elements and into the inner end portion of the tubular shaft 29. The two shafts are so connected one with the other that they may rotate in unison without preventing the axial movement of the shaft 29 with relation to the shaft 30. In the present instance this is accomplished by a key 32 carried by the shaft 30 and slidable in a keyway 33 in the tubular shaft 29. Preferably the inner end portion of the shaft 36 extends into the shaft 29 such a distance that it is within the bearing 28 and is firmly supported. The position of cutting element 22 is changed by moving both the bearing 28 and the shaft 29 inwardly in standard 26. In any relative position the cutting elements 21 and 22 are maintained in proper shearing relation to the cutting bars 127 by the means now to be described. In the present instance the shaft 30 is also tubular and a rod 34 extends through the tubular shaft 29 into the inner end of the shaft 30. The rod 34 is provided with a screw threaded portion 35 which is mounted in a nut 36 rigidly secured to the shaft 29 adjacent the outer end thereof, as by screw threading it into the end of the shaft. A coil spring 3'7 in the tubular shaft 30 is confined between the adjacent end of the rod 34 and a fixed part of the shaft 30, such as a plug 38 closing the outer end of the tubular shaft 30. The outer end of the rod 34 is provided with a part 39 adapted to be engaged by a rotating device, such as a crank or wrench, to rotate the rod and thereby increase or decrease the compression of the spring 37. The spring 37 exerts outwardly directed pressure against the shafts 29 and 31) so as to press the cutting elements against the collar members 126 and thereby maintain the cutting blades in shearing relation to the cutting bars 127 supported by the collars. When it is desired to change the spacing between the cutting elements the rod 34 is rotated to relieve the compression of the spring 37 and the shaft 29 moved axially in the desired direction with relation to the shaft 30, whereupon the rod is rotated so as to again compress the spring. When the desired adjustment has been made, and the rod is stationary with relation to the shaft 29, the spring 37 retains the cutting elements 21 and 22 in shearing relation to the cutting bars 127.

The means for driving the cutting elements and timing the operation thereof may take various forms but preferably the sprocket wheel 31 is connected by a sprocket chain 40 with a sprocket wheel 41 mounted on a shaft 42 which is rotatably supported by arms 43 extending downwardly from the base 24-. The shaft 42 is connected through miter gearing 45 with a shaft 46 extending transversely to the line of movement of the bags and mounted at its respective ends in bearings 47 and 48, carried respectively by brackets 49 and 5t) rigidly secured to the main frame. A shaft 51 is rotatably mounted on the main frame adjacent to and preferably below the shaft 46. In the present instance this shaft extends substantially the full width of the main frame and is supported in the end brackets 49 and 49a and in bearings 52 in the intermediate brackets and 50a in bearings 53. The shaft 51 is driven in timed relation to the movement of the bags and as here shown, a gear 54 is rigidly secured to the shaft 51 adjacent the bracket 50 and is connected through gearing 55 with the main power shaft 12, which also drives the conveyor. Driving connections are interposed between the shafts 51 and 46 and are of such a character that the continual rotary movement of the shaft 51 is transmitted intermittently to the shaft 46 and through that shaft to the cutting elements. In the arrangement here shown a disc-like member 56 is rigidly secured to the shaft 4-6 adjacent the bearing 47 and is provided with a. plurality of radial grooves 57, in the present instance four, spaced equal distances one from the other. Rigidly secured to the shaft 51 is a rotatable member 53 in which is mounted a pin, or roller, 59 which projects laterally from the member 58 and is adapted, upon each rotation of the shaft 51, to enter one of the grooves 57 and impart to the shaft 46 a quarter rotation. The disc 56 is provided between adjacent grooves 57 with laterally extending studs 60 and the member 58 has in that face thereof which is adjacent the disc 56 an arcuate groove 61 which is arranged on that side of the shaft 51 diametrically opposite the pin 59 and is adapted to embrace the stud 60 which is in the rear of the groove 57 which the pin 59 has entered, just as the pin is withdrawn from that groove, and to hold the disc 56 against movement until the pin 59 is about to enter or has entered the succeeding groove 57.

At that side of the conveyor opposite the cutting elements 21 and 22 there is provided a single cutter 62 for merely severing the tape between those ends of the bags opposite the valve ends and this mechanism is driven in timed relation to the movements of the bags and of the cutting elements 21 and 22, and is preferably so driven by the shaft 51 by mechanism similar to that above described.

It will be apparent that as the bags are continuously advanced in spaced relation one to the other the continuous tapes are sewed to both ends of the bags and those portions of the tapes which are between adjacent bags are severed, a substantial portion of the tape between the valve ends of adjacent bags being completely removed so as to leave only short projecting portions of tape on the valve end of one bag and on the adjacent edge of the other bag, and that the device for severing this portion of tape is adjustable to vary the length of that portion of the tape which is severed.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, I wish it understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as many modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully shown and described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination with mechanism for advancing a series of bags connected one with the other in spaced relation by a continuous tape, two telescoping shafts rotatably mounted on a fixed support and extending in the direction of movement of said bags, one of said shafts being axially movable with relation to the other of said shafts, cutting elements connected with the respective shafts for rotation thereby through the path of said tape, means for adjusting said axially movable shaft to vary the distance between said cutting elements, and means for rotating said shafts in unison and in timed relation to the movement of said bags to move said cutting elements through the path of said tape between adjacent bags.

2. In combination with. a mechanism for advancing a series of bags connected one with the other in spaced relation by a continuous tape, and including a frame, alined bearings mounted on said frame and spaced one from the other lengthwise of said frame, a tubular shaft mounted in one of said bearings for both rotary movement and axial movement. a second shaft rotatably mounted in the other of said bearings and extending into said tubular shaft, means connecting said shafts for rotation in unison, cutting elements mounted on the respective shafts for movement thereby through the path of said tape, means for axially adjusting said tubular shaft to vary the distance between said cutting elements, and means for rotating said shafts in timed relation to the movement of said bags to simultaneously move said cutting elements through the path of said tape between adjacent bags.

3. In combinatiton with a mechanism for advancing a series of bags connected one with the other in spaced relation by a continuous tape, and including a frame, alined bearings mounted on said frame and spaced one from the other lengthwise of said frame, one of said bearings being of a substantial length, a tubular shaft supported in the last mentioned bearing for both rotary movement and axial movement, a second tubular shaft rotatably mounted in the other of said alined bearings and extending into the first mentioned tubular shaft, means connecting said shafts for rotation in unison, a nut secured to the first mentioned tubular shaft adjacent the outer end thereof and held against rotation, a rod extending through said nut into the adjacent end of the last mentioned tubular shaft and having a screw threaded connection with said nut, a spring in said last mentioned tubular shaft confined between a fixed part thereof and said rod, cutting elements mounted on their respective shafts for rotation thereby through the path of said tape, said rod having means whereby it may be rotated to adjust the compression of said spring, and means for rotating said shafts in timed relation to the movement of said bags to move said cutting elements through said path between adjacent bags.

4. In combination with mechanism for advancing a series of bags connected one with the other in spaced relation by a continuous tape, means for removing a portion of the tape between adjacent bags comprising a first shaft rotatably mounted on a fixed support and extending in the direction of movement of said bags, a cutting element mounted on said first shaft for rotation therewith, a second shaft in axial alignment with said first shaft, said second shaft connected with said first shaft for rotation therewith and for axial movement with relation thereto, a cutting element mounted on said second shaft, said second shaft being axially adjustable relative to said first shaft to vary the distance between said cutting elements, said cutting elements being movable through the path of said tape to sever said tape on separated lines, and means for intermittently actuating said cutting elements in timed relation to said bag moving mechanism.

5. In a tape cutter for the purposes described, spaced apart standards mounting aligned bearings one of which is movable axially with respect to the standard in which it is mounted, a tubular shaft mounted in said axially movable bearing for rotary movement, a second shaft rotatably mounted in the other of said bearings and having an end thereof extending into said tubular shaft, means connecting said shafts for joint rotary movement, a cutting element mounted on each of said shafts between said bearings for rotary movement therewith, collar members surrounding the inner ends of said bearings and fixed against rotary movement with respect thereto, a cutting bar fixed to each of said collars, and spring means normally urging said cutting elements in the direction of said cutting bars.

6. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said second shaft is a tubular shaft, and wherein said spring means comprises a compression spring in said second tubular shaft confined between a fixed part thereof and a rod extending through said first mentioned tubular shaft and into the adjacent end of said second tubular shaft, said rod having a screw threaded connection with a nut secured to the outer end ofsaid first mentioned tubular shaft, said rod including means beyond said nut whereby it may be rotated to adjust the compression of said spring.

7. In a cutting device for the purposes described, spaced apart standards mounting aligned bearings one of which is movable axially with respect to the standard in which it is mounted, telescoping shafts journalled in said bear-v ings for rotary movement-means connecting said shafts for joint rotary movement, a cutting element fixedly mounted on each of said shafts between said bearings, a cutting bar attached to said axially moving bearing for joint movement therewith, and spring means normally urging the cutting element :fixed to the shaft journalled in said axially moving bearing in the direction of the said cutting bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,549,429 Bartlett Aug. 11, 1925 1,649,238 Kronmiller Nov. 15, 1927 1,885,867 Sharkey Nov. 1, 1932 2,069,776 Rohland Feb. 9, 1937 2,082,833 Haupt June 8,1937 2,369,947 Curle Feb. 20, 1945 2,423,080 Belcher et al July 1, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 593,587 Germany Feb. 28, 1934 

